slow 1 of 3

1
2
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we love our bulldog though he's a little slower than our German shepherd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the first half of the movie is slow, but then it gets exciting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slow

2 of 3

verb

slow

3 of 3

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slow distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slow are delay, detain, retard, and slacken. While all these words mean "to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress," slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention.

medication slowed the patient's heart rate

In what contexts can delay take the place of slow?

In some situations, the words delay and slow are roughly equivalent. However, delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival.

bad weather delayed our arrival

When would detain be a good substitute for slow?

The meanings of detain and slow largely overlap; however, detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time.

unexpected business had detained her

Where would retard be a reasonable alternative to slow?

While in some cases nearly identical to slow, retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping.

language barriers retarded their progress

When can slacken be used instead of slow?

The synonyms slacken and slow are sometimes interchangeable, but slacken suggests an easing up or relaxing of power or effort.

on hot days runners slacken their pace

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slow
Adjective
The hiking and fishing are unmatched, but there is also an incredible food and wine scene to enjoy for those looking for a slower pace. Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 However, a slow pit stop of just over four seconds due to an error on his team's part handed the runner-up spot to Piastri. Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
Leqembi was the first therapy shown to actually slow disease progression, but uptake has been limited by the practical challenges of IV infusion. New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025 Fiber slows digestion, leading to a slower, steadier rise in blood sugar. Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
And the slow-burning tension between them? Rachel Raposas, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Sand tiger sharks are a large, slow-moving shark species found in temperate and subtropical waters around the world, including the eastern United States, South Africa, and Australia. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slow
Adjective
  • Bring along family or friends to enjoy a leisurely walk, trip to your local cider mill, adventurous hike or a picnic.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With plates this inventive, brunch at Etch is less a leisurely pause and more an invitation to explore bold, boundary-crossing flavors.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The reigning Super Bowl champs better hope that’s the dumbest thing that one of their players does this season.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Sometimes, actors play a slightly dumber iteration of themselves; think James Van Der Beek in Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 and Liam Neeson in Life’s Too Short (a performance that got Neeson cast in this year’s The Naked Gun).
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After dropping a sleepy rubber match to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, the Tigers have lost nine of their past 13 games.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In recent years, the government even started paying people to move to its sleepy medieval villages.
    Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Historically, tracking demand for electricity was a boring task marked by little to no change.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Uranus has already been demanding freedom in your day-to-day, pushing you to ditch boring structures.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • There’s also a B mode, activated via the car’s gear selector, which increases braking strength.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Glinski, who had been driving in his truck, said everyone behind him started braking after the bus crashed.
    Nic Anderson, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Worthy remained on the turf before walking slowly off the field, and then to the locker room.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Fans booed as Carter walked off slowly, the standout defensive tackle holding his helmet in his hands behind his back.
    Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The recent rash of CEOs Gone Wild is arguably even stupider than commonplace fraud, and a troubling sign that there continues to be a slippery slope of accountability for C-Suite leadership.
    Ian Chaffee, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The accounts team logs in right on time, and the stupid dance of platitudes that precedes every meeting at every company around the world begins.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This would not be the first NFL opening weekend to stare fans dead in the eye and lie to them.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • For instance, Captain John Boats out of Plymouth during a whale watch last August came across a dead basking shark that was being scavenged by five to six blue sharks.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slow. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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